Helping You Rock Out Your Site Like A Rockstar!

There are so many people out there in the world, and even millions upon millions of websites out there. Each person is knowledgeable in their own field. Whether it be novice or an expert, when you begin a site, you should not be telling people you are an expert in your field.

In fact, I discourage it even as you gain followers, traffic, and overall, influence.

Why should you not say that you are an expert?

• Someone else might come along and know more than you. It might a possible battle of egos in the making. Unfortunately, it does happen and you really have to be diplomatic and open minded in handling such an encounter.
• You readers might be turned off from even trying to read your content as soon as they see “expert” or “guru.” You come off as cocky and people really connect better with those who are humble.

Let your followers call you an expert or a guru. They are the ones that are nearly your makers or breakers when you build your site and overall brand online. If you are telling people that you are an expert, they might take your word for it, but when you have so many more saying it rather than you, then they believe it for real.

So, for those who are new to blogging and social media practices, here are some tips to build that relationship with your followers as well as encourage them to leave recommendations.

• Provide a way in your contact form to allow your guest to submit a testimonial about their experience on your site, or about your products or services.
• If you have readers who follow you on LinkedIn, send them a recommendation request in regards to your site or services.
• Reserve a section in your site for testimonials, whether you use a plugin, or manually enter each testimonial. Allow a place to link their site back as a way of saying thank you for leaving a testimonial.
• If someone recommends you on other social network sites, link to those places and bring the comment back to your testimonial page.
• If you have readers who prefer to remain anonymous, put a survey together and allow them to submit it to you knowing it will not be publicly shared.

As a last thought, never pay for testimonials or recommendations and NEVER beg. They normally seem obvious and it cheapens the experience for your readers, even if you are the only one that knows you paid for a testimonial. Even if it is for $5. It is not worth it, and you should be building your authority and brand honestly.

And begging, you do not want to be desperate. If you are doing a good job, in time people will speak. You can definitely ask for feedback, but never beg.

How do you let someone know they are an expert? What other sites are great for building authority and gaining recommendations from your followers. What are your thoughts on this?

What is digital distinction? Well, digital distinction in regards to social media, though it has no official meaning, is describe as:

Digital Distinction(in my own words): It is a description in the development your own internet branding or your internet reputation. It is how you brand yourself online to be unique and how people can find you.

Why is it important to be digitally distinct? The internet is a huge place with a lot of people in it. Many people have similar interests and may even have the same name. You can have a negative or positive distinction. People will look you up in search engines like Google and can get the gist of what type of person you are online or even perhaps, in real life.

If you have a bunch of negative against you, then you could be hurting your reputation and deterring people from your site. You should try looking up your name in Google and seeing what comes up about you. If it is hateful, the beauty is that you can give a rebuttle if the information found is false. However, if you do, it can a risk depending on how you respond, and you should be as diplomatic as possible.

If you do not have any negative marks against you in the search engines, then that is great! You are literally on your way to successfully making yourself unique online. If you have found that you have no negative commentary, try social bookmarking sites like Digg, and StumbleUpon. There are quite a few social bookmarking sites, but remember, a social bookmarking site helps spread the word about your blogging, and thusly, spreading your digital distinction.

To give an example and in-depth look, if anyone were to look up ‘Nile Flores’ in Google, not only is my blog listed first, but about every site I have maintained, or important aspects of my professional life, home life, and online life come up in the search engine. This goes on for the first three pages of results, before even starting to pan out.

The general key to making yourself digitally distinct is being yourself. If you are a bitch or an asshole, then you are, and if you are a somewhat of a sweetie, then go on with your bad self. Make your site reflect you and connect with people who you will fit in. Being digitally distinct is like being unique in real life. If you truly want to be unique, then you will make it happen. No one else can do that for you and it really shows when you do a search about yourself in the search engines.

Here is a fun related link on calculating your digital distinctiveness: Online Identity Calculator.

The web has come a LONG way. I am pretty sure in that first sentence alone, all of you can agree and maybe you have heard something similar said from other people. The problem is that there are still a lot of trends floating around that people still want to stick to. However, for branding purposes, trendy web design is not always for you.

When you started your own website, you had something in mind. Maybe it was the colors? Maybe it was a vision for the logo? Maybe it was the format of the website itself? Many of us are influenced by other websites that are doing well, but many have a site design that has become the trend.

Their site is successful so if you have a similar format, you might be successful too… that is probably what you are thinking? However, where is your individuality? What makes you different from that person? Obviously, you want to have some influence and authority, but not be confused with sites you were inspired to emulate.

Here are a few tips to step away from having a trendy web site design.

• Brainstorm what you believe is really necessary for your website.
• If you prefer a general format of a trendy website, think of ways in designing it to make it your own.
• Try not to emulate another company’s or individuals logo. You want to be memorable, so be unique.
• Be on top of your niche market. Research all sites in your market and see what other website elements are successful. Try those and see how they work for you.

Please note when I say website elements, or site elements, I mean things like featured content sliders, newsletter subscription modules, marketing funnels, how posts are formatted design-wise, and more.

So, in conclusion, whether you are putting together a website for the first time or doing a revamp, think about how you can be unique and memorable, not just another trendy looking website.

How have you broken away from trendy design? What advise do you have for others who may still be struggling with branding their websites to reflect themselves or their business?

The Web Design trends for 2011 are yet to unleash. But, to look at 2010, it was all set with new horizon, and hot trends of design industry. Though, not a drastic departure from 2009, there was a definite shift in design aesthetics.

Even if you were not the part of the movement, be encouraged to dabble into these trends.

You may ask “Why”? Trends help designers to push forward and discover – What is next or what needs to be explored for perfection? In fact, ideas behind design trends are more important and designers should recognize it aptly. It helps you prepare for the coming seasons and of course, improve your site response rate.

Let us take a quick look what made web design trends of 2010 so popular?

Sketch or Hand drawn designs

Well, it is not exactly a new concept, but we know – it is still on the fringes of web design. Sketch in 2010 was more elemental part of corporate design. It was more of creating personalized standard web copy than fulfilling main focus of web design. However, it was not a smooth sailing for the traditional designers.

Many designers appreciated such designs but suffered from “I can’t really draw” attitude. However, such designs convey sense of closeness and improve the gap between web and personal interaction – The ultimate goal of Website development.

Large Headers and Over-sized logos

2010 has to keep an unforgettable impression on visitors. And, it did it well with over-sized logos and matching large headers. The header could take up to the entire screen but leave an important message (the catch line) for the visitors. The idea was brilliant. Visitors need not to face clicking phobia. Just a simple scroll down and the message were convincing enough to the visitors.

Slab Typefaces

Slab Typeface is a good visual treat to readers. Though, it has been used in traditional media for quite a long time, for Web, it was relatively new. Slab typeface is a particular font style where all the letters are capital and bold – to create a strong impact.

Initially, designers were reluctant to use it, as smaller logos and headers seemed understated. With new trend towards larger headers, slab typefaces got brave expression.

Typography

One of the most innovative, difficult and fresh design alternatives in 2010 – Typography simply rocks. The concept of mixing font sizes, twisting and moulding them to fit your purpose were unmatchable. Correct placement and creativity was all what enticed the readers. No need of overloading the site with tons of images and your job is done.

On page layout

The idea of single page message was challenging. However, it was rewarding too. In 2010, the approach was more minimal and seemed perfect for personal profile, blogs.

Large images

2010 Designers had a comfortable journey with humongous size images. It helped them using big statements in designs and conveys site’s voice.

Modal boxes

These were the latest add on, virtually everywhere in 2010. Modal boxes look like pop up and are easy to design and use. Designers realized this well, and it has a great future too.

Interactive design

The year showed – Flash is no more an annoying web design application. In fact Flash designs became more relaxed and professional last year. As visitors are getting more web savvy, Web designers moved towards the redeeming elements of flash.  The days of interactive design are back in track.

Want to explore more on latest web design ideas? Ask design experts and researchers.

Whether you have a site that sells products or if you blog, I have said many times that you are selling. Your visitors that you engage with and keep coming back identify and connect with you through your site. They remember things like your content, your layout, and your logo.

When it comes time that you want to take your site brand to the next level, these factors will change. How can you successfully take your site brand to the next level without confusing people?

Well, change is inevitable… which whomever came up with that phrase, I do not know, but it is true. You will have to change in order to grow as a brand. McDonalds has, Pizza Hut, Adidas, IBM, Apple, Chris Brogan’s site, and so on are brands that have had some brand changes for the better throughout the years. Whether it was through advertisements or actual logo tweaks or changes, they have done it.

As a blog owner or business owner, you will have to do this at some point. While I am sure you like to keep hold of some things, it might not always be the best idea, especially when you want to improve your image. You may have an idea of how you want to take your site, and have a web designer try to fulfill those wishes, but find out that you may have taken two steps back instead of two steps forwards with improving your brand.

While you do not want your site to look exactly like other sites, you can certainly learn from what is already out there on what you like or do not like, what works best for some of the leaders in your niche, and from articles like this one, how to improve your site.

Before even doing a design tweak or redesign, remember that as long as the general message you already convey on your site, through your content is consistent and that you keep engaging with your visitors (or even customers/ clients.)

Logo Branding

If you are doing a logo tweak, keep some part consistent in the transition, whether it be the words of your site or company, colors, or if you have a specific image you use, something needs to still tell people “You are you.” It might seem silly, but it is not uncommon for people to become confused and think your site was taken over by another company or person when you change up your logo.

Layout Design Branding

When taking your layout to the next level, you have to really put it in your mind to not be attached to your previous site. Think of it as a good investment for the future. With a better image, you are. It is unfortunate that part of what attracts people to a website brand is the visual aspect. Even in simply designed websites, the visual aspects of it being clean, user-friendly, and legible are attractive. However, if you have a site that needs improvement, you might want to consult with someone on what they think. You might be surprised from whether it be a knowledgeable friend, your web designer, or a branding coach on how much you need to do to get to that next level.

Do not accept mediocrity. If you are being told that something cannot be done, especially for WordPress design, you are being told wrong. There are a lot of things you can do and next to nil that cannot be done. Imagination is the only hindrance, so break free being stubborn about change or being told “no” and embrace what could lead to further success.

Content Branding

As I said before, your content should be consistent with the message you want to convey to visitors, potential customers, or long time customers. You usually do not have to do much except make sure with your design format that you are showing the way to visitors on what you want them to see on your website. If you have an ebook, that needs to be somewhere visible. If you have special blog posts that are must reads, that too needs to be in a prominent place.

Have you done a site re-brand lately? Do you feel you have taken it to the next level? Are you still uncertain if your brand is still needing that extra oomph? For those who brand consulting, what advice do you have in this matter?

If you have a blog, you are pitching. How often have you heard that (even at conferences)? It is a very true statement. When you put up a website, you are most likely not hording it all to your lonesome. You are telling people about it.

Some of you might not understand this and be saying – ‘I have a personal site, so how can I be selling.’

You are selling your words.

Every time you share that blog post out on Twitter, Facebook, and all the social network sites out there, you are basically advertising- ‘Here is my post. Please come read it.’

There is no shame in that, but make sure your pitch is a clear one. If it takes a long novel to describe what your site is about, people will not be interested. Keep your pitch simple and between 3 to 20 words. This pitch is something you can use at your site’s description so when Google picks up your site, that will include exactly what you want people to know about your site.

For example- I use: “Helping You Rock Out Your Site Like A Rockstar” for Blondish.net

You will know I help people with their websites and that I hope to make sure their websites turn out awesome.

Try your pitch here. Tell me it and how you came up with it? If you do not have a definite one, do you need help?

With so many people trying to rise above others with branding and social media techniques, it is bound to cause some confusion with the masses. Are people still confused about you even months or maybe even a year after you starting branding yourself as a public figure or business?

If you are having problems, you might want to ask yourself a few questions. Here are a few that you might want to consider asking yourself:

• Do you still get strange questions that have nothing to do with you?
• Are you telling everyone just about everything about you?
• Are you sending mixed signals?
• Perhaps you like to be a bit radical – however, are people not sure what to make of you and might be put off by what you say or do?
• Are you saying one thing, but doing something else, or perhaps not even doing what you said at all?

If you are facing some of the above, you need to stop and reflect on how you want to present yourself. There is a point to being honest and true to yourself, and there is a point where you might be too in the face that people really do not know how to approach.

If your followers expect and love you for being off the top radical, then great. However, if you are trying to reach a wide variety of people, your attitude may not be welcomed by others. While you might not care – you probably should.

Your followers understand you have opinions, values, and a life outside business and the Internet, but you have a responsibility to be consistent and honest. You can still be loud and proud, but maintain an air of civility. Probably sharing that you do drugs might not be the best thing to be shouting online, nor whom you are having relations with – in detail. I am sure there will be a few that may disagree, but really:

This is an attention seeking behavior, not someone seriously looking to brand themselves as a public figure or even a business person.

Engage with people and get a feel of them through conversation. Conversation is a two way street – you speak, they listen, and then they speak, and you listen.

When reflecting, you can always ask close friends or seek a consultant on how to help you come across less confusing to your followers and clients.

What advice do you have for people having troubles branding themselves online without confusing others?

Guest posts are great. You get fresh content and the guest writer gets a backlink. That is merely the tip of what guest blogging is all about. However, there is a point when guest posts might start hurting your blog.

If you are running a site and it is normally just you, and your followers have come to recognize your site to be branded as you, it might get a bit confusing if the percentage of guest posts become so high, your voice is no longer heard.

For example, I branded Blondish.net to be known as the site of Nile Flores. Of course, I occasionally have guest posts, but after the 500 posts I have done alone, not even 2 dozen posts (not included in the number of posts I have written) have been published. I am very picky on who is allowed to post because I want my site to encompass what I think is important in helping others with their websites.

It is important that if you intend on having a site that you have branded personally, to make sure your voice is the one that your readers have no doubt who the website belongs to. If you are publishing just to get content all the time, perhaps you need to think about your site’s focus and see about blogging on those topics, rather than relying on outsiders to fuel your blog. A lot of sites that allow very frequent guest posts on personal blogs are ones I noticed that the original site owner’s voice have been diluted drastically.

Although it is important to publish new posts and keep some sort of flow, it is important that the site owner takes the reigns and writes the larger percentage on their own personal site, rather than leaving it to others to chug out content.

If you are finding that you are having a lot of willing writers, perhaps creating a community blog might be helpful? However, remember… your own personal blog should ooze you more than anyone else.

If you are accepting guest writers, is the percentage of your blog posts far greater than the guest posts you publish? Are you branding your personal blog successfully even with accepting guest posts?